-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Today 's selection of Boeing and SpaceX as the providers of a U.S.-based capability to take humans to the International Space Station -LRB- ISS -RRB- is a major milestone in the almost six-decade history of space exploration . It is just the latest sign that the old paradigm of government-only space travel is being replaced by something else -- a new business ecosystem composed of novel relationships among NASA and the aerospace industry .

No longer will NASA own the ISS `` trucking company '' -- specifying every nut and bolt . Instead , NASA is buying services from U.S. industry . To be sure , the new announcement made it clear that NASA will be carefully examining the safety aspects of each design . But the designs will still be those of Boeing and SpaceX and vetted by NASA .

I believe this new approach is America 's `` secret weapon '' in what some have described as a space race with China . And , as far as I can tell , while the rest of the world is still stuck in a nearly government-only mode , NASA , with the support of the Obama administration , is letting loose the creativity of American know-how .

Beginning with the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services competition , continuing with the Commercial Resupply Services -LRB- cargo -RRB- and now the Commercial Crew selection , NASA `` bet the farm '' on commercial companies filling the gap left by the retirement of the space shuttle , with the Commercial Crew companies -LRB- SpaceX and Boeing -RRB- replacing the Russians in bringing NASA astronauts to the ISS . This will allow NASA to invest the savings in deep space capabilities such as SLS and Orion .

I believe it is critical that both commercial cargo and crew succeed for at least two reasons : First , NASA 's proper role can be summed up in three words : `` Explore Deep Space . '' It is time for NASA to turn over the low Earth orbit work to industry while NASA focuses on getting humanity to Mars , following in the tracks of robotic rovers Spirit , Opportunity and Curiosity . Second , history teaches us that without a trailing edge of commercial exploitation and profitability , exploration as large scale , routine human endeavor will not succeed .

As an aerospace professional and former NASA executive , I have encountered over the decades many concepts for private space exploration . Until a few years ago , none of these ideas met the sniff test for what I call the `` practical visionary , '' that is , someone capable of seeing a new future , yet solidly grounded in lessons learned . Something was always missing in these early ventures -- either the technical approach required some `` unobtanium '' technology to be invented , the advocate had good ideas but no money or the `` build it and they will come '' philosophy showed total naivetÃ © in business and marketing .

Today 's selection points us in a different direction . As with the early 20th century airmail routes that helped stimulate aviation , NASA 's commercial programs are now the anchor tenants in the government transfer of space services to the private sector . This in turn will enable a robust new business enterprise and allow NASA to focus on Mars -- the ultimate target for exploration .

@highlight

Scott Hubbard says recent moves by NASA will allow it to focus on deep space

@highlight

Hubbard : Space X , Boeing contracts are secret weapons in space race with China

@highlight

New arrangement will let `` loose the creativity of American know-how , '' he says